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Syrian army says 93 rebels killed fleeing Crusader castle

Fall of Crusader fortress Crac des Chevaliers is latest in string of government victories near frontier with Lebanon.

Some of the items left behind by rebels at Crac des Chevaliers, a Crusader fortress near the Syria-Lebanon border, after it was seized by forces loyal to President Bashar Assad. (SAM SKAINE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

By Albert AjiThe Associated Press

Fri., March 21, 2014

HOSN, SYRIA—The Syrian army ousted rebels from a massive Crusader fortress after several hours of fierce fighting, killing at least 93 as they fled to neighbouring Lebanon, an army commander said Friday.

Reporters on a government-led tour were shown signs of a precipitous flight from Crac des Chevaliers by the opposition fighters. There was food left behind on a burning makeshift, as well as collapsed walls and staircases and other damage. The UNESCO world monument has seen multiple rounds of fighting since rebels first seized it in 2012.

Thursday’s fall of the imposing hilltop citadel is as much symbolic as strategic. It is the latest in a string of government victories near the frontier with Lebanon, used by rebels as a conduit for recruits and supplies.

The nearby village of Hosn was devastated in the fighting, with several houses levelled. Most of the villagers have fled previous fighting, although about 50 people, mostly women and children, were seen leaving the village Friday.

The commander, who didn’t give his name in line with regulations, said his troops overran the castle in the early afternoon. He said they refused to grant about 300 rebels safe passage from the fortress and made the final push after seeing the rebels fleeing.

At least 93 rebels were killed at that point, the commander said. He did not say how many were killed in the several hours of fighting it took to take the castle, but acknowledged that several of his men died.

Crac des Chevaliers is considered one of the best-preserved castles from the era of the Crusades. Over the past 18 months, amateur videos posted online have shown shelling and airstrikes hitting the thick stone ramparts.

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